CAN EUROPE PRESS RELEASE: The EU's 20% target reflects neither ambition nor the climate and energy policies they are developing

[04/12/12 - COP18, DOHA] CAN Europe today accused the EU of failing to take the opportunity to lead on raising climate ambition to bridge the gigatonne gap in global emissions. In a new briefing [1], CAN Europe shows how the EU is already on course to reach 25% emissions reductions by 2020, with the final number being closer to 27% if proposed further reductions from various EU initiatives are fully implemented. If the EU would make full use of the opportunities identified by research groups and NGOs, it could reduce domestic emissions beyond 30%.

Wendel Trio, Director of CAN Europe said:“The EU is wasting this opportunity to take political advantage of the emission reduction policies they already have in place and push for more at the international climate negotiations. They know that in reality their emissions will be much lower and should dare to raise the bar and show others that everyone can jump higher.”

“If they want to show other developed and developing nations that they are serious about avoiding a world beyond 2 degrees, they should bring something to the table this week, preferably a number beginning with three,”Trio added.

EU policies already in place that, if implemented properly, will bring the EU’s emission reductions to more than 25% include directives on fuel quality, energy efficiency, renewables, car efficiency standards and f-gases. In addition, if pending reviews on these policies and the reform of the emissions trading scheme are completed ambitiously emission reductions in the EU would go beyond 30%.

“I would ask Ministers arriving this week, and Commissioner Hedegaard why they are not considering taking this opportunity to lead?”concluded Wendel Trio, Director of CAN Europe.